The First Annual Report, of the Mangers of The Ladies' Depository;
With a List of the Officers and Managers, and of the Contributors.
Philadelphia: Printed by Order of the Society.
Lydia R. Bailey, Printer, No. 26 North Fifth Street.
1834
A year having now elapsed since the commencement of the Ladies'
Depository, it becomes the duty of the Board of Managers to present
to the contributors an account of the manner in which their funds
have been appropriated, and the affairs of the Institution conducted.
The plan and object of the Ladies' Depository appearing not to
be generally understood, the managers take this opportunity of
exploring the nature of the establishment and the cause of its
formation. In every large city, a numberous class of persons
is found, whom the vicissitudes of fortune have reduced from a
state of ease or affluence to the necessity of gaining a subsitence
by their own personal exertions. The sufferings of females are,
in most cases, greatly augmented by a natural feeling of delicacy,
which leads them to shrink from observation, and from encountering
the rough and unkind treatment to which they are frequently exposed
in their efforts to obtain employment. To devise means for relieving
this class of females; to afford them facilities for disposing
of useful and ornamental work in a convenient and private manner,
a number of ladies consulted together, and as the most eligible
plan for effecting the object, determined to open a small shop,
and appoint an agent to attend to the reception and sale of articles.
To aid in supporting the Institution, a commision of six per
cent. Is deducted from the amount of every sale, and to secure
its benefits to such only as are entitled to them, no work is
received but upon the presentation of a permit signed // by one
of the Managers. To obtain a permit, application must be made
to one of the Managers, whose duty it is to inform herself, as
far as is needful and proper, of the circumstances of the individual.
[pp. 3-4]
Experience only can point out the imperfections of any plan.
Two difficulties which had not been anticipated, soon presented
themselves. First, several of those who had received permits
had been accustomed only to plain needle-work, and could not undertake
any thing else; and secondly, very few could afford to invest
a sufficient sum of money to purchase fine and handsome materials
to make up, and coarse articles were found to be unsaleable.
[p. 4]
The Managers think proper here to notice the only serious
objection that has been made to the Ladies' Depository,--that
by affording facilities for the concealment of names and circumstances,
it fosters a false pride, which ought rather to be subdued. Let
it be remembered, in the first place, that the desire for concealment
is not always voluntary. Many who would not object themselves
to having their circumstances known, are influenced by the feelings
and opinions of near relatives or friends, upon whom they are,
in some measure, dependent, and who might be seriously offended
by such exposure. But, in the second place, concealment is but
a part of the object of the Ladies' Depository. // It's principal
design is to screen the unfortunate from the unkind treatnent
which they too often experience in their intercourse with the
world. Instances have come to the knowledge of the Managers,
of the most praiseworthy exertions being met by repulsive and
almost insulting conduct, which not only wounded the feelings,
but tended to discourage further effort.
The cheerful countenances and grateful acknowledgments of many
who have been relieved from difficulties, by this institution,
have cheered the Managers in their work, and they commend it to
the attention of the Public, in full confidence that it needs
only to be known, to receive the patronage which it requires.
Believing it to be founded on principles in strict accordiance
with the Divine precepts, and grateful for past favours, they
trust that the blessing of Heaven will attend their future efforts,
and crown them with abundant success.
[pp. 5-6]
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